Many people are looking forward to Valve’s next hardware launch. At this point, we know it’s probably not the Steam Deck 2, but instead, a follow-up to its Index VR headset. Codenamed Deckard, this device has been making the rounds in rumors and leaks for a while. And now, what looks to be the final stage of development has been referenced in code for the latest SteamVR beta.

Official news regarding Deckard is nowhere to be seen at the moment. We thought we were getting something big when multiple VR influencers touched down in Seattle rather than going to the Meta Connect event in September, but nothing has come of that just yet. However, all seems to point towards a launch happening pretty soon.

Deckard referenced in SteamVR beta code

This news comes from well-known VR analyst (and reliable source for datamining) Bradley Lynch. They have hopes that an announcement will happen sometime in October or November. References to Deckard DV1 and DV2 have appeared in one of the files for the latest SteamVR beta; the DV identifier indicates that this is one of the final stages of development before launch.

At the end of last year, we suggested that 2025 could be a big year for Valve hardware. This was on account of the many leaks and rumors circulating on the web at the time, whether it was a Steam Deck sequel, Deckard (and its VR controller), or the Steam Controller 2. So far, nothing has been released – or even announced – but we’re not giving up hope yet.

Valve registered a new ‘Steam Frame’ trademark not too long ago, which helped reignite the rumors. That important detail, combined with the teasers from VR influencers and now this SteamVR code, certainly makes it look like Valve is gearing up for a launch sooner, rather than later. We all know Valve is pretty good at keeping quiet, so we can only hope to see an official announcement in the coming weeks.

Another promising development is that mass production for the new VR headset has reportedly started, and is expected to ship this year (according to a Chinese analyst group, via UploadVR).

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.